Coexist: Keegan's Chronicles (13 page)

A look of alarm crossed Keegan’s face. “He
has been watching me? For how long—why didn’t anyone feel the need
to inform me?”

Emerald stood up and laid her hand on her
daughter’s shoulder. “Your father and I have agreed to let you meet
Rourk after your birthday a year earlier than planned.”

“We will be together?” Keegan gasped. “Why do
I have to wait until my birthday? What difference does two months
make?”

She was getting impatient now. All she could
think of doing was running to find Rourk. She never wanted anything
so badly in her life. She started pacing the room. “Please mother,
tell me where he is, I will do anything, I swear.”

Grabbing her daughter by the shoulders,
Emerald said sternly, “Look at me, you need to focus. You cannot
meet him until after your birthday. You need to accept that.”

“Why? None of this makes any sense.” Keegan
was on the verge of hysteria, mindless with her desire to find
Rourk right that minute.

Emerald paused, “I am going to tell you
something that you cannot repeat to anyone. Do you understand?”

Keegan took a deep breath, trying to calm
herself down. “Yes, I understand.”

Her mother seemed to relax. “The great battle
is going to take place on your birthday.”

“What? Are you serious?” A surge of panic
raced through her. “What if he dies in battle? What if we do not
prevail? We will never meet. Mother, this is so unfair, I feel like
I can’t breathe.”

Sharply, her mother responded, “Pull yourself
together, Keegan. Like it or not, this family is deeply entwined
with the possible extinction of our kind. Rourk needs to focus on
preparing for the battle. You would only serve as a distraction.
This is not a joke Keegan; this is a matter of life and death. You
will continue your training, go to school and just be happy with
the knowledge that you will soon be with Rourk. You have waited for
this long; a couple more months will not matter.”

Keegan tried to collect herself. She knew her
mother was right, it just really sucked. “Oh, and we’ll be spending
your birthday in Ireland.”

Glaring harshly at her mother, Keegan said,
“You want to keep us apart that much, you will send me to another
country?”

“On the contrary daughter, Rourk will also be
in Ireland. Our whole family will be there. Soldiers will need
healing and some of our other gifts might come in handy.”

Keegan was speechless.

***

The next day Keegan was lost in her thoughts,
her locker door open while she stared blankly at her own face in
the mirror. Donald approached her, his hands shoved in his
pockets.

"Hey Keegan, want to hang out this
weekend?"

"Um, yeah, maybe." She went back to her
thoughts without even looking at him.
They were going to Ireland to for the great
battle. It was going to begin on her birthday. How could this be
so? Did they actually stand a chance of winning against the dark
elves?

A shocked look crossed his face right before
he bolted.

Keegan looked up in surprise. He was probably
mad because she had been ignoring him lately. Whatever, she had
more important things going on than high school drama.

R
ichard could see his men were tired. He had yet to
tell them that the great battle was upon them. Of course, they all
expected as much since they had increased the training schedule so
drastically. They knew they were going to Ireland for a training
mission and nothing more. He would inform them of the truth before
they flew out. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his men. It was the
issue of their relatives with the gift. Many had the ability to
read minds. They had been training night and day and everyone
missed their families.

Richard looked at his watch and saw it was
almost lunch time. He called Rourk over. “Pass the word that there
will be a meeting in front of the mess hall in thirty minutes.”
This would cause a lot of grumbling from the men. They all hated
last minute meetings, and to cut into their lunch time made it even
worse.

Richard stood and waited for them all to
gather around. “I want you all to know that I appreciate the hard
work you have put in. I know you miss your families. I miss mine,
as well. Tomorrow I would like you all to bring your family members
here for a cookout. Everything will be supplied; you just have to
show up.” He looked around and saw smiles on the faces of many of
them.

“After that I don’t want to see any of you
for the following three days. As for today, you are all done for
the day, go home and relax.” With a few honest words, the spirit
had gone from weary and fatigued to an overwhelming sense of
excitement.

***

Emerald was surprised to see her husband walk
through the door so early.

“I noticed the men looked depleted so I sent
them home. We’re also going to have a cookout at the camp tomorrow.
I told them to bring their families, and I’ve given them three days
off after that.” He had a look of mischief in his eyes. “So you
know what that means?”

A look of annoyance crossed her face. “That
Keegan and Rourk are going to be at the same place at the same
time?”

Richard could kick himself. How had he not
thought of that?

“Richard, I am too tired to fight. It is
done; we will let it take its course. I’m glad you have some time
off. I have missed you.”

His eyes widened. He hadn’t expected to get
off the hook that quickly. “I was thinking we should take the kids
to your mothers and go away for the weekend. It has been too long
since we have been alone.”

Smiling, she said, “That sounds like a
wonderful idea. Let’s not go too far though. How does a cabin in
the woods sound?”

“Perfect.”

T
he next day the camp was bustling with excitement.
There was music playing, people were dancing, and the food was
cooking. Elfin children were running amuck all over the place.
Rourk didn’t care for this type of thing; however, he understood it
was part of being in a unit. Richard knew that events like this
helped build cohesion among the soldiers. Rourk had to admit he was
enjoying himself, standing back and taking it all in. He loved
watching the children play.

Keegan dreaded going to the stupid cookout.
The only thing that made it bearable was she could take a lot of
pictures. She liked to capture people unaware when they were in a
natural state.

Her dad had left early to make sure
everything was prepared. Her mother put off their departure as long
as possible, but soon it was time to go. They were expected to be
there for their father. Keegan wished she could bring her friends,
but outsiders were not allowed on the camp.

Much to her surprise, Keegan quickly got
caught up in the excitement. Hundreds if not thousands were there.
It was hard to explain, but there was something special about being
around elfin families, and she could feel the love and admiration
all around. Couples were dancing. Laughter was everywhere. Kids
squalled in delight.

Keegan smiled. It was the happiest she had
felt in months. She snapped pictures as she made her way through
the crowd. She thought she probably got some of her best shots
ever. Everywhere she looked there were faces of joy.

Keegan looked through her lens and froze.
Quickly recovering, she snapped a picture. He was as perfect as she
remembered from the night of the concert. Staring off with a look
of contentment, he was watching the kids play. Her heart pounded.
Rourk is
here
. When she thought his name he turned and made eye
contact with her. They stood staring at each other, neither sure
what to do.

Emerald watched the interaction, and she
nudged Richard. They both looked over, knowing there was nothing
they could do at this point. They watched as Rourk strode through
the crowd. Their daughter was as still as a photograph with a look
of awe on her face.

Keegan was nervous as Rourk walked toward
her. What was she going to say? In an instant, he was in front of
her. She felt his fingers trace the side of her face. She looked up
into his grey eyes as he leaned down and kissed her.

Richard and Emerald looked away and allowed
their daughter to have the moment to herself. They knew there was a
real possibility that Rourk would die in Ireland. She deserved this
time.

Keegan had kissed boys before, but this was
unlike anything she had ever felt. It was the weirdest sensation,
as if she had electrical current running through her body. His arms
felt so powerful encircling her. The noise around them sounded
muffled and distant. She had no idea how long the kiss
lasted—probably not long, but it felt like an eternity.

When they broke away, Keegan looked up and
said, “Wow, did you feel that?” She had never imagined a kiss could
feel so intoxicating.

Rourk stared at her, speechless, with a look
of adoration.

Suddenly, Keegan realized everyone was
clapping and cheering, and it was directed at them. Her face
flushed a deep shade of red.

Rourk, on the other hand, looked proud. His
hand found hers and it felt as natural as if they have been
together for years. There was no awkwardness; it was like they’d
fused into one.

Keegan pulled him toward the games. She
smiled up at him, “I bet I could beat you at darts.”

“You’re on,” he replied with a grin, “but
don’t cry when I beat you.”

Rourk smiled at her after he won a second
time. Keegan had her hands on her hips. “Best out of three.”

“Forget it, you’ll never beat me. Let’s go
grab something to eat.” Keegan took off running towards the woods
and Rourk followed. He laughed as he grabbed her by the waist and
spun her around. They fell to the ground.

“I have waited for you my whole life.”

“Sure you have, I’ve seen you enjoying
yourself with a few guys,” Rourk said in a teasing voice.

“Whatever, I’m sure you have had your share
of girlfriends.”

“I’ve had none; you are my first and
only.”

Rourk reached over and kissed her.

“I wish we could stay here forever, I think
this is the best day of my life,” Keegan said as she leaned back
against him.

Someone yelled their names. Rourk gave her a
quick kiss and pulled her up. As they walked, elves kept coming up
and congratulating them, talking about how they all thought it was
so sweet Keegan and Rourk were able to meet before their time. The
rest of the day went by in a blur.

When it was time to leave, her parents
approached them. “Your father and I have plans to go away for the
weekend. Your brothers are going to your grandmother’s. Would you
two like to join us?”

Keegan gaped at her mother. Was she serious?
Her heart leapt with hope.

Rourk replied, “Of course, we would love to
join you. As long as it’s okay with Keegan.”

Keegan looked at him like he’d lost his mind.
“I want to spend as much time as possible with you.”

Richard seemed kind of surprised himself as
he looked at his wife. “We will have to call and change the
reservations to a cabin with three bedrooms.”

Looking at them both, Emerald said, “There is
a condition to this. You guys can have this weekend together, but
you are not to see each other again until you get to Ireland, is
that clear?”

The idea of being separated brought a pain to
Keegan’s chest. However, she nodded at her mother. She understood
that Rourk had to focus on the preparations for the battle. Rourk
also agreed. They were both grateful for anytime they could spend
together. “We will be leaving in two hours,” Emerald said, “so I
suggest you part ways and gather up whatever you will need for the
weekend.”

***

Back at home, Keegan felt like she was
floating on clouds—she didn’t know such feelings existed. Glancing
around her room, she began throwing clothing into her bag. Her
mother had said a cabin. Knowing her mom she’d better dress for the
occasion. They would probably end up on a long trek. She threw on a
pair of hiking pants, shirt and boots. She grabbed her necessities
out of the bathroom and yelled to her parents she was ready.

They looked at each other in amazement over
their bed where they were both folding clothes into duffel bags and
smothered a laugh. Usually Keegan was the last to be ready and took
forever making sure she would have the perfect outfits and her hair
was just right. They could get used to this. Hopefully, Rourk
continued to have this effect on her.

They piled into her mother’s Land Rover
Defender and headed out. Keegan had to admit it was a seriously
cool vehicle. Her mother had been in one on their last safari in
Africa and said she loved it. Her father, seeing an opportunity to
surprise her, had one delivered to the house before they got back.
It was matte black with rugged tires and a rack on top. Keegan ran
her hand on the soft leather seat and thought she couldn’t wait to
have Rourk by her side.

Her father pulled into Rourk's driveway.
Keegan skipped up the drive and knocked on the door. Rourk’s father
answered. Upon seeing him Keegan smiled and thought he was very
good looking for an older man.

Keegan smiled and said, “Hello, I’m excited
to meet you.” She peeked around him to get a glance of the
house.

His father opened the door wider which
allowed her to step in. “You have made Rourk happier than I have
seen him in a long time. He’ll be out in just a second.”

Glancing around the house, she was surprised
to see that it looked as if it had a female touch. She expected to
see a bachelor pad or something. There were dainty curtains hanging
in the kitchen, and the living room looked warm and inviting.